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On the evening of September 8, when the Fairs face the final stretch, the sky of Sant Sadurní lights up with a thousand sparkles: it is the “Se Me'n Refum” corfoc of the Devils. The gang descends down Raval Street playing timpani, followed by their flamboyant beast and a garrison armed with hats and black shirts. The show — part corrifoc, part satirical performance — culminates in the Town Hall Square, where, under a shower of sparks, the “versots” are read, a biting chronicle of local events.
The tradition dates back to the seventies, when a group of young people linked to the Festival Commission recovered the model of Penedès devils to give a vindication to the celebrations. Over time, the event has become indispensable both at Fairs and the Festa Major on November 29. The gang combines the classic pyrotechnic protocol — sacks loaded with spouts, ceptrots and the central figure of the Beast — with a band of shrapnel that reinforces the frenetic pace of the fires.
Beyond the visual impact, the doorbell works as a social thermometer. The verses, always colorful and uncluttered, review municipal projects, criticisms of politicians and picturesque episodes lived during the year, all with a humor that the public celebrates. In this way, fire and word are intertwined and turn gunpowder into a tool of criticism and neighborhood cohesion. Today, the gang maintains a school of devils for young people, watches over training in pyrotechnic safety and participates in meetings all over the country, exporting their sorneguer and cavalier style.
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